DESCRIPTION

INDICATIONS

SUROLAN is indicated for the treatment of canine otitis externa associated with susceptible strains of yeast (Malassezia pachydermatis) and bacteria (Staphylococcus pseudintermedius).

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

Shake well before use.

The external ear should be thoroughly cleaned and dried before the initiation of treatment. Verify that the eardrum is intact. Instill 5 drops of SUROLAN in the ear canal twice daily and massage the ear. Therapy should continue for 7 consecutive days.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

SUROLAN is contraindicated in dogs with suspected or known hypersensitivity to miconazole nitrate, polymyxin B sulfate, or prednisolone acetate.

Do not use in dogs with known perforated tympanum. Do not use with drugs known to induce ototoxicity.

WARNINGS

Not for use in humans. Keep this and all drugs out of reach of children.

ANIMAL WARNINGS

Do not administer orally.

For otic use only.

PRECAUTIONS

Before instilling any medication into the ear, examine the external ear canal thoroughly to be certain the tympanic membranes are not ruptured.

If overgrowth of non-susceptible bacteria or fungi occurs, treatment should be discontinued and appropriate therapy instituted.

Long-term use of topical otic corticosteroids has been associated with adrenocortical suppression and iatrogenic hypoadrenalcorticism in dogs.

The safe use of SUROLAN in dogs used for breeding purposes, during pregnancy, or in lactating bitches, has not been evaluated.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

In the field study, 161 dogs treated with SUROLAN were included in the safety database. Two dogs experienced reduced hearing at the end of treatment; on follow-up one dog had normal hearing capacity while the other case was lost for follow-up. The owner of another dog reported that on day 4 of treatment, build-up of the medication decreased the dog's hearing. At the end of treatment, this dog had normal hearing as assessed by the investigator. Residue build-up was reported in 1 dog and pain upon drug application in another dog.

A total of 161 dogs treated with the active control was included in the safety database and adverse reactions were reported in 8 dogs treated with the active control. One dog experienced reduced hearing at the end of treatment. Residue build-up was noted in 1 dog. Four dogs vomited during treatment, 1 dog showed red pustules on the pinna and head shaking was observed in another dog.

Foreign market experience: the following adverse events were reported voluntarily during post-approval use of the product in foreign markets: deafness, reduced hearing, topical hypersensitivity reactions and red blisters on pinna.

For a copy of the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), for technical assistance or to report adverse reactions call Vétoquinol USA Inc. at 1-800-835-9496.

PHARMACOLOGY

By virtue of its 3 active ingredients, SUROLAN has antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory activity. Polymyxin B sulfate is a broad-spectrum polypeptide antibiotic with activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative species. Miconazole nitrate is a synthetic imidazole derivative with antifungal activity and antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria. Moreover, synergistic effects between miconazole nitrate and polymyxin B sulfate have been demonstrated in an in vitro study(1). Prednisolone acetate is a glucocorticoid with anti-inflammatory activity. A study performed using an experimentally-induced model of ear inflammation in mice demonstrated the effectiveness of prednisolone acetate in treating ear inflammation either alone or in combination with the other active ingredients of SUROLAN(2).

MICROBIOLOGY

The compatibility and additive effect of each of the components in SUROLAN was demonstrated in a component effectiveness and non-interference study. An in vitro study of organisms collected from clinical cases of otitis externa at a veterinary teaching hospital and from dogs enrolled in the clinical effectiveness study for SUROLAN determined that polymyxin B sulfate and miconazole nitrate inhibit the growth of bacteria and yeast commonly associated with canine otitis externa. Furthermore, a synergistic effect of the two antimicrobials was demonstrated. The addition of prednisolone acetate to the combination did not impair antimicrobial activity to any clinically-significant extent.

ANIMAL SAFETY

The following adverse reactions were reported in a study when SUROLAN was administered at 1X, 3X and 5X for 42 consecutive days (6 times the recommended treatment duration) in laboratory Beagles: hypersensitivity reactions which included mild erythema and hyperemia, painful and sensitive ear canals on examination, changes in hematology, clinical chemistry and urinalysis values consistent with the systemic absorption of topical corticosteroids, and veterinary observations of pale ear canals.

EFFECTIVENESS

Of 337 dogs enrolled in the field study, 176 dogs were included in the effectiveness database; 91 were treated with SUROLAN and 85 were treated with an FDA-approved active control. Clinical evaluations of otitis externa included pain/discomfort, swelling, redness, and exudate. A non-inferiority evaluation was used to compare SUROLAN with the active control with respect to each clinical sign of otitis externa and overall clinical improvement. SUROLAN was determined to be non-inferior to treatment with the active control for otitis externa. Malassezia pachydermatis and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius were identified pre-treatment in at least 10 cases that were clinically responsive to SUROLAN.